Fox beams movie into outer space � claims first galactic release

By Kris Sangani | consumer technology editor

Published Thursday, December 11, 2008

Keanu Reeves’ new movie will reach Uranus approximately 285 hours after its official public release on Friday - as Twentieth Century Fox says it will transmit the first motion picture in to deep space, making ‘The Day The Earth Stood Still’ the world’s first galactic motion picture release.

“If any civilisations are currently orbiting Alpha Centauri, they will be able to receive and view the film approximately four years from now in the year 2012,” said the press release.

“We at Fox always like to think big, and what’s bigger than a ‘galactic’ release of a major motion picture event? We look forward to sharing 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' with our galactic neighbours near Alpha Centauri - and look forward to their feedback...eight years from now,” said Bruce Snyder, president of Twentieth Century Fox domestic distribution.

The movie will be transmitted by Deep Space Communications Network - a private organisation located east of Orlando - formed specifically to communicate with outer space by a group of broadcast engineers and communications experts who regularly transmit from the space centre.

“We are thrilled about beaming this film into space. This will be our first full length movie transmission. And what could be more relevant to send into deep space than a movie about the Earth’s acceptance of visitors from outer space,” said Jim Lewis, managing director, Deep Space Communications Network

The beam transmitting the movie is by redundant high-powered klystron amplifiers connected by a travelling waveguide to a 5m parabolic dish antenna. The film will be travelling through space at 186,000 miles per second.

The deep space transmission of the new movie will begin this Friday to coincide with the film’s opening day. It can be intercepted and viewed at various points in our own solar system (distance from Earth – at the speed of light – and transmission time, as follows):